26TS.12

 

Preah Khan:

The Ad Hoc group of Experts take note of the widespread and pervasive presence of trees and vegetation in the temple area and its surroundings; this issue, even giving certain scenic values to the site, can be dangerous as well both for the heritage and tourists.

Ad hoc experts recommend:

1. To make a proper, detailed but comprehensive survey and mapping of trees in the area of the temple and its surroundings, specifying their location, species, size (height) and health status and identifying the risk that vegetation could cause to the heritage and to tourists, in order to develop a genuine risk map, taking particularly into account the closeness of those trees to the buildings. Furthermore, a guideline should be written up, concerning the type of trees and their patterns of growth, in order to promote the better site management and to anticipate the risk.

2. To start, along with the mapping of the risk as required above, non-invasive trimming in order to reduce the leaf mass (and thus wind influence) of the most dangerous trees, but avoiding any over-cutting of large sections, which could cause botanical diseases with ecological effects to set in on those trees.

3. To organize and implement, as a wise substitution for the costly scaffolding devices currently used for pruning, a training course in tree climbing and pruning, with the help of a company specializing in such skillful operations on similar sites with a heritage and landscape as its main focus.

4. To enhance the interest of tourists about the particular relationship between heritage and forest, which is especially prominent in Preah Khan temple, by producing information panels to be put properly in the temple area.